This planning grant proposal will bring together researchers from three states (WA, OR, CA) and British Columbia that work in small fruit production (red raspberries focus) from a diverse set of disciplines (pest, nutrient and cultural management) to develop improved integrated practices for red raspberries. Our first actions are to bring together these collaborators to discuss project scope, goals, and research design for a collaborative multi-state proposal. Monthly communication will continue the discussion towards the end-goal of developing two proposals towards targeted funding opportunities. Funding will cover travel of project PI’s, industry representatives, and producer participants to an in-person meeting and for AP salaries (Whatcom County) to orchestrate meetings and prepare project proposals. This project will address priorities derived from the 2012 Washington Red Raspberry Commission(WRRC) Research priorities including: 1.) Understanding soil ecology and soil borne pathogens and their effects on plant health and crop yields; 2.) Soil fumigation techniques and alternatives to control soil pathogens, nematodes, and weeds; and 3.) Nutrient/Irrigation management. We will build on funding from the WRRC 2012 of a Long-Term Raspberry Experiment (LTRE) that has been initiated on two-commercial farms in Whatcom County to improve soil health and productivity.
Grant Information
2012
- Principal Investigator(s): Benedict, C.
- Grant Amount: $9,167
2013
- Principal Investigator(s): Benedict, C.
- Investigator(s): Burrows, C., Cogger, C., Moore, P., Shaw, J., Walters, T.
Additional Funds Leveraged
To date, the final detailed approaches were be submitted to the WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, USDA‐NIFA PMAP Program, and the Western Region ‐ Regional Integrated Pest Management Program.
Impacts
Short‐Term:
1. An integrated team has been assembled to work on the identified issues.
2. Feedback from red raspberry producers was compiled on the economic impact of soil health declines.
Intermediate‐Term:
1. Through the collaborative efforts of the assembled team of researchers we expect that will identify a number of management tools that producers can utilize in the next 2‐3 years.
Long‐Term:
1. Our long-term impact will results in lengthened planting longevity of red raspberries in the Pacific Northwest by developing integrated management tools. We expect that in 5‐10 years plantings will return to their previous commercial standard of 15‐20 years.